Machine for operating on sole parts



June 7, 1949. "A. F. DONOVAN 2, 2,

I MACHINE FOR OPERA'IIING on SOLE'PARTS Filed Nov. 25; 1947 .=s Sheets-Sheet 1 A. F. DONOVAN MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SOLE PARTS June 7, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 25, 1947 zi& redmrmm 5 MI W 7 W M Patented June 7, 1949 "MACHINE FOR OPERATING. ON SOLE PARTS Alned.F.. Donovan, Boston, Mass, assignor to T. Wr ght & I c porat d, Ro klani. Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 25, 1947, Serial No. 787,882

11 Claims.

This invention relates to themanufacture of footwear l and: more especially to. apparatus. useful in the preparation ofaninsole and apad to facilitate the assemblage therewith .of apshankpiece-or stiffener in an improved shoe bottom structure of the type disclosed: and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,147,887,.February 21, 1939 including an insole-proper, .a metatarsal pad united to. the-under surface. of the insole and a shank-piece or stifienerfzhaving its forward end overlapping the pad.

Toinsure that all the advantages obtainable by the use of such a pad and shankapiece are secured, it is essential, as: pointed- .out in said patent, that the forward end of the shank-piece be accuratelylocated relative'toithe pad. In said patent itwas suggested that the pad be provided With a transverse slot or recess, andithat the for ward end of the shank-piece be provided' witha flange and/or prongs to seat insaid recess, thereby to facilitate'the. assemblage of the shankpiece and insole and to make surethat when so assembled they will be accurately related, assuming, of'course, that the transverse slotain thepad has first been properly located.

The principal object ofthe present invention is to provide an'apparatusior facilitatingand in suring the accurate location and formation of such a transverse slot in the metatarsal .pad regardless of the size, shape, or IB'ftOFIiQ' I-ItTCOH- tour of the insole'thereby to insure precision and uniformity in the location of'the shank-piece.

Other objects are to provid'e'an apparatus of the character described which may be quickly and conveniently adapted to operate on'left .01 right insoles without the removal'or-replacement of any parts, which affords to the operator a clear vision of the work during substantially the en--. tire slottingoperation, which inno-way hinders or interferes with'the withdrawal of the-insole operated upon and the insertion of -anew insole. to be operated'upon, and which eliminates allele ments' of 'guess work by the operator withfirespect'to the proper positioning of the insole and pad, thereby to increase the speed of production while insuring uniformity and accuracy in the location of thetransverse slot.

According to the present invention the apparatus' comprises a support for thecentral portionof an inso1e,'a holder' having a slotting die relativelymovable toward and away from said support so as toform a slotv in the metatarsal pad of aninsole disposed on said'support, a positiom ing member mounted independently of the holder movable toward and-away" from-said support. and

yieldingly urgedtowardwsaidsupport,v said member. having a part engageable withthe-zrear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maine tain said insoleand pad in :a predetermined position relative to thepatlr of tr-avel or sem -die, and means for efiecting a relative movementkbeetween saidholder and support. The positioning member is pivoted at one endindependently Of the holder and is yieldingly. urged downwardly toward: said supportand has..positionine?fingcrs; rockably mounted at the free endof thesposh tionins. member engageablewith the rear ed portion 0t saidpadg.

In a more specific aspect of the inventionzthat. the. means .ior positioning I andxmaintainine an insole and pad-in a predetermined position rela: tive to the path of travel of said die comprises. spacedparallel arms, pivoted'at one end inwardl-yof: the support and independ ntly-ct the hold-- er, said arms extending outwardly over.the.,.sup-. portand Sbr ddling t path. EERE Z 1. of'the slotn d e. and ield ngly ur ed. downwardly to, ward th s ppc t. nd p siti nin fin ens'roclsry mounted int rm diate the. fireeends or said. rms and enease ble with. the: re eepontipn of said pa and ea s. h dine-the arms-and; positionin fi gers in noperativepo tion-onset contact with the support.

.In anotheraspect of the, inventiontherapparatus comprises. a link pivotally:mountedat-one endand movable toward and-away-from said supe p r n y i s y ree t ward-saidsupport, and an elcns te. pos t oning. memb r.- having p sitioning. n ers at itsinne wend ass ssa le with the rear edge portion of said padandhavin-g an upwardly curved tailportion at-. its;outer end, the positioning member being rockablywmouutfid adjacent its inner endfro-the; free. end-or the link whereby when the insol is; withdrawn .the posit:- tioning fingers are rocked to avpositifln to release theypad and When, @{HQW insole isinserted he i o ers, are rock dback in opcsit a to, determine .the location of the new metatarsal pad and insole.

In still another I aspe t cf the i vention. the pport supports. th ntra portion Qtr ght and left insoles, the holder and: slotting; die. are; rota tablerelative to each other and meansrare.,:prov-idcd for rotatingsaid slottlngdietsoas tQ Q-QB F- ate on right, and left insoles. The supporthis, laterally. movable.

In a still more specific, aspectthe, holder com! prises, a rotatable die holderhaying 'an axlal bore, a spindle within. the. axial bore fixed. with relation-to the rotational movement the hold er, a transverse way at the lower end of the holder radially offset from the lower end of the spindle, a slotting die slidably mounted in said way, and crank means pivotally interconnecting the die with the spindle, means being pro-vided for rotating the die holder so as to position the die to operate on right and left insoles.

For the purpose of illustration typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a typical embodiment of the invention;

Fig 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with an insole and pad disposed on the support and with parts in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section along the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6-4": of Fig. 5, showing the holder rotated to operate on a left insole;

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 8-4 of Fig. 5 showing the holder rotated to operate on a right insole;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the slotting die of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified embodiment of the holder of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a section of the modified embodiment of Fig. 9 shown in a position similar to Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a section of the modified embodiment of Fig. 9 shown in a position similar to Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the bottom of an insole as it appears after the slotting operation;

Fig. 1.3 is a perspective view of the shankpieee showing the elements of the shank which cooperate with the slot in the metatarsal pad of Fig. 12 in the assembly of the parts.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates the base of a punch press of well-known commercial type in which the present improvements are embodied, such press having a Worktable 2 mounted on the base, an upstanding frame 3 carrying a drive shaft 5 to which a head carrier it is comiected for reciprocating movement toward and away from the worktable along a vertical axis, the drive shaft being connected in turn to a drive wheel 5. The press is operated by power and controlled by a treadle or other suitable means (not shown) common to punch presses of this type.

In accordance with the present invention, the top surface of the worktable 2 is provided with front and rear guide members i and supports a mold-carrying block 8 slidable from side to side of the table between said guides. The block 8 is formed with spaced dovetailed channels 9 for slidably receiving dovetailed molds I!) and H the upper surfaces of which project above the block and are formed with depressions designed to receive the central portion of right and left molded insoles, respectively. End stops l2 and i3 for the guide-carrying block are mounted on the top surface of the table adjacent its opposite side edges and rearwardly of the rear edge of the block 8 by suitable means here shown as depending brackets i l and i5 fixedly secured to the bottom surfaces of the end stops and the side edges of the worktable by screws Iii. Inwardly projecting latch members IT and iii are pivotally mounted on end stops [2 and [3, respectively, by pintles i9 and are respectively adapted to releasably engage lugs 28 and 2| projecting rearwardly from the rear edge of the block 8 adjacent its corners. That is, when the guide-carrying block 8 is slid to the left to bring the left mold ii into the path of travel of the head carrier l, as shown in Fig. l, the latch member ll releasably engages the lug 20, and when the block 3 is slid to the right to bring the right mold ill into the path of travel of the head carrier, as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. l, the latch member l8 releasably engages the lug 2|. To facilitate the sliding of the mold-carrying block 8, the opposite ends of the block are provided with handles 22.

A support and gauge 23 for the heel of the insole is substantially T-shaped in cross section and has the lower end of its leg 24 fixedly mounted to the front face of the table 2 intermediate the ends of the face by suitable means, as screws 25. The top surface of the head of the T is disposed in the plane of the top surface of the forward end of the molds l0 and H while the rear end of the head is juxtaposed to the front face of the mold-carrying block 8 and the front end of the head extends forwardly from the block as best shown in Fig. 2. The top surface of the forward end of the head is formed with a central longitudinally extending gauge line 26 (Fig. 1) which serves as a gauge with which to align the longitudinal center line of the heel portion of an insole disposed on the head of the T.

Adjacent the rear edge of the worktable 2 a pair of spaced upright posts 30 and 3| are mounted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the posts being interconnected adjacent their top ends by a fixed rod 32. Spaced parallel link rods 35 and 3'? are respectively secured at one end to sleeves 33 and 34 pivotally mounted on the fixed rod 32 and are locked in spaced relation lengthwise of the fixed rod 32 by suitable means here shown as collars 35 secured to the fixed rod 32 on 013- posite sides of sleeves 33 and 34. The link rods extend outwardly over the mold-carrying block 8 and in straddling relation to the path of travel of the head carrier 4. Depending arms 38 and 39 are respectively fixedly mounted to the opposite ends of the link rod 35 and 3'! and are formed on their opposed faces adjacent their lower ends with recesses 2'! and 28, constituting bearings, for pivotally receiving opposite ends of a pintle lil extending therebetween.

An elongate positioning member 4! is fixedly secured centrally of the pintle 40 with its longitudinal axis in registry with the gauge line 26 of the support 23. One end of the positioning member 4| extends rearwardly and is formed with forked positioning fingers 42 and 43, as shown in Fig. i, said fingers being adapted to engage the rear edges of the metatarsal pad of an insole as will hereinafter be more specifically described. The opposite end of the positioning member ll extends forwardly over the rear end of the head of the T-shaped support and is formed with an upwardly curved tail 44. as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

A cylindrical head 46 for rotatably holding a slotting die is rotatably mounted at the lower end of the head carrier 4 and is carried toward and away from the worktable 2 and molds I0 and l by the reciprocating movement of the head carrier. Referring to Fig. 5, the head may be formed with an axial bore 41 for receiving a sesame spindle 38 projecting downwardly from the head carrier 4 and fixed with relation to the rotatable movement of the head. At its lower end the spindle is formed with a crank arm 49* extendingtransversely of and forwardly of the head into a recess cc formed in the head adjacent its lower end. A front plate 53 is removably se-. cured in a recess 54%, also provided adjacent the lower end of the head, by a screw 55 and is formed at its rear face adjacent its lower endwith a projecting key 55. Below the crank arm d ll'a'block 5,1" is similarly removably secured to the head at by a screw 58. The slotting die 52%isslidab1y mounted within the transverse way formed between the rear face of the front plate 53 and the front face of the block 51, the key 56 being slidably received in a channel 60 formed in the side edge of the slotting die, and the end of' the, crank being pivotally received, in turn, in a recess 55 formed in the top edge of the slotting die.

From the foregoing it will be evident that even though the slotting die is radially and forwardly offset from the bore of the head when,

by movement of handle fil which is mounted on the head provided with a springactuated latch (it, the head is rotated to the right,

to a predetermined position for operating on. right insoles, the slotting die will rotate to the position shown in 7 and will also slide in the transverse way to the left to compensate forany eccentricity between the slotting die and the axial bore. To a similar manner, when the headis rotated to the left to a predetermined position for operating on left insoles, the slotting die will rotate to the position shown in Fig. 6 and will also slide in the transverse way to the right to compensate for any eccentricity between the; slotting die and the axial bore. By this means the slotting die may be mounted forwardly of the axial bore of the head and in combination with the oblique lower outer corner 62 formed in the front plate 53 will provide the: operator at all times with a clear vision of the operating environment of the slotting die.

The slotting die 552 has a flat-bottomed surface formed with a downwardly projecting indenting blade 53 extending longitudinally of the die adjacent its forward edge and the blade is also formed with. a pair of projections or teeth Stand 65 spaced apart and in the plane of the blade proper.

In an alternative construction and with reference to- Fig. 9 in which corresponding elements are indicated by similar reference numerals, the crank arm of the spindle has been omitted, as well as the block at, while the front plate 53 is L-shaped in cross section, the key 56 being formed at the rear edge of the base of the L. The blade 63 of the SlOt'Ell'l die is disposed centrally of the front and rear longitudinal edges of the die and the slotting die is mounted between the rear edge of the base of the L and the front face of the head adjacent its lower end, the key at being received in the channel 69', and the lower: end of the spindle d8 being pivotally received in turn in the recess 5| at the top edge of the slotting die. From the foregoing it is evident that in the alternative construotion the slotting die and blade are coaxial with the axial bore of the head, thereby eliminating any eccentricity between the slotting die and the; axial bore and also eliminating the necessity of mounting the slotting die for sliding move ment; transversely of the head. That. is, the:

slotting-dices positioned as shown in Fig. 11' when the head'is rotated to the right to a predetermined position for operating on right insoles and-is positioned as shown in Fig. 10 when the headisirotated to the'left to a predetermined positionvforoperating on left insoles. To enhance the vision of the operator when the slotting die is thus coaxially disposed in the head, thelower. outer corner 62 of the front plate 53, isJmore-deeply-cut away, as shown in Fig. 9.

shown in-Fig. 1, a bracket ET is mounted at the front of the carrier 4 adjacent its lower end= by suitable means, as screws 68, the bracket being, formed with a lateral slot 69 the edges defining/the slot being adapted to receive and releasably engage, the tail of the positioning member 4| when swung to an inoperative elevated position as shown in the upper dot-anddash-linesof Fig 2.

An insole 10 which is to be operated upon is here disclosed in Figs. 12 and 3 as a composite right insole consisting of a body member of leather or other suitable material having on its underside at its forepart an upstanding rib 8|, and. a molded depression ll at its ball portion for accommodating a metatarsal pad 12, the rear edges of the pad converging rearwardly to form an apex 13. The pad is held in predetermined position within the depression by a layer of fabric "l4 cemented at its ends to the under surface of the insole by suitable means as adhesive cement, and extends across the under surface of the pad.

The shank piece 59 (Fig. 13), which is more fully. described. in the above-referred-to patent, is. provided at its forward end with a slightly downwardly bent edge l5 and preferably with a pair of spaced prongs l6 and fl, the slightly downwardly bent edge being designed to seat within the transverse slot '58 (Fig. 12) formed in the metatarsal. pad by the blade 63 as will be hereinafter described, while the prongs "I'll and Ti, respectively, enter the deeper portions or sockets 19 and 8E) formed in the metatarsal pad by-the teeth 64 and 65, as will also be hereinafter described.

In using-the apparatus described and assuming by Wayof'example that right insoles of the type shown in Fig. 12 are to be operated upon, that the head is in retracted position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and that the positioning member M and link rods are in the elevated and inoperative position shown in the upper dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, the operator slides the moldcarrying block 8 to the right to bring the right mold [0 into the path of travel of the head carrier' i as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1 where it is releasably held in position by latch member I 8 engaging the lug 2!. The tail M of the positioning -member 4! is then slipped out'of' engagement with the edges defining the slot 69 causing the positioning member ll to drop by'gravity into. contact with the top surface of the mold It and intothe substantially verticalposition shown inthe lower dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, the link rods and sleeves pivoting about the fixed rod 32.

The operator'then rotates handle 6i of the head Maway frornihim to the predetermined position for operating on right insoles which causes the slotting die to rotate to the position shown in Fig. 7:. A. right insole is now placed on the T- shaped support with the-toe of the insole facing inwardly toward the machine and is pushed inwardlyruntili the toeengages theends of positioning fingers 42 and 43 which are in contact with the top surface of mold Ill. Further inward movement of the insole causes the positioning member ii and pintle 4G to rock within bearings 3'8 and 39 and to fall by gravity into a substantially horizontal position upon the under side of the insole. The insole is then moved further inwardly over the mold until the rear edges of the metatarsal pad slide beyond the ends of positioning fingers l2 and d3 after which the insole is pulled backwardly until the positioning fingers engage the rear edges of the pad, the apex of the pad entering into the space between the forked fingers as shown in Fig. 3 and the depression H of the insole lying in the depression of the mold ID. The center line of the heel portion of the insole is also aligned with the gauge line 2'5.

From the foregoing it is evident that irrespective of the size oi the insole to be operated upon the metatarsal pad has been very accurately positioned with reference to the path of movement of the slotting die 52.

Having thus positioned the insole the punch press is now actuated causing the head carrier, the head and slotting die toadvance with substantial pressure downwardly between the stradlink rods and 3'! upon the metatarsal pad, thus causing the blade 63 to indent the pad and thereby to form the groove or slot 18 while the teeth Eli and 65 of the blade concomitantly form the sockets l9 and 39 respectively. At the same time the flat under surface of the die tends to press the pad downwardly within the depression of the insole squeezing out any included bubbles of air between the pad and the insole so that the pad is compacted and caused to adhere strongly to the body member of the insole, it being understood that in the prior assembly of the parts adhesive is interposed between the insole proper and the pad.

At the completion of this slotting and compressing operation, the head carrier, head and die retract and the operator withdraws the insole with an outward and upward pull causing the tail of the positioning member to lift upwardly which, togeth r with the outward pressure upon the ends of the positioning fingers still in engagement with the rear edges of the metatarsal pad, causes the positioning member and pintle ii] to rock back to the substantially vertical position, shown in the lower dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. Further, withdrawal of the insole causes the ends of the positioning fingers to trip upwardly over the rear edges of the pad and out of engagement therewith thereby to release the insole for complete withdrawal, the link rods and sleeves pivoting slightly about the fixed rod 32 to permit a slight upward movement of the positionin fingers. The upstanding rib 8| at the toe of the insole is cleared under the positioning fingers in the same manner on complete withdrawal of the insole. The operator then places a new right insoie upon the T-shaped support and the cycle of operations above described is repeated. Should the positioning member fall by gravity to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upwardly curved tail M will facilitate the insertic-n of the new insole under the positioning member.

When it is desired to shift from the slotting of right insoles to left insoles the operator merely grasps the tail 34, lifts it to the elevated position shown in the upper dot and dash lines of Fig. 2 out of contact with the mold I and inserts the end of the tail into the slot 69, the link rods and sleeves pivoting about the fixed rod 32 to permit the positioning member to be raised to such elevated position. The mold-carrying block 8 is slid to the left to bring the left mold ll into the path of travel of the head carrier 4 as shown in Fig. 1 where it is releasably held in position by latch member I? engaging the lug 29. The operator then rotates the handle of the head toward him to the predetermined position for operating on left insoles which causes the slotting die to rotate to the position shown in Fig. 6. The tail M is then slipped out of engagement with the edges defining the slot 69 to again cause the positioning member 2| to drop by gravity into contact with the top surface of the mold H and into the substantially vertical position shown in the lower dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. A left insole is then placed on the T-shaped support and the same cycle of operations above described in connection with operation on right insoles is repeated.

From the foregoin it is apparent that irrespective of the left or right contour of the insole the metatarsal pad is very accurately positioned with reference to the path of movement of the slotting die 52 for insuring an accurate location and formation of the transverse slot and that the apparatus described may be quickly adapted to operate on left or right insoles without the removal or replacement of any parts.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of an insole, a holder having a slotting die relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, a positioning member mounted independently of the holder to move toward and away from said support, said member having a part engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, and means for effecting a relative movement between said holder and support.

2. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a. shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of an insole, a holder having a slotting die relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for positioning and maintaining the insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, said means comprising a member pivoted at one end independently of the holder to move downwardly toward and upwardly away from said support and positioning fingers rockably mounted at the free end of the member adapted normally to rest on the insole disposed on said support and engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad, and means for effecting a relative movem nt between said holder and support.

3. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising "asupport for the central portionof an insole, a holder having a slotting die relatively movable toward and awayfrom said; support so asto form- 'a. slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for positioning and, maintaining the insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, said means comprising spaced parallel arms pivoted at one end inwardly of the support and independently 'ofthe holder to move toward; and away from. said support, said arms extending outwardly over the support and straddling the path of travel: of the slotting die, and positioning fingers rooka-bly mounted intermediate the free ends of said arms and engage-- able withtl'ie rear edge portion oi-said pad, means for; effecting a relative movement between said holder and support, and means for holding the arms and positioningfingers in inoperative position out of contact with thesupport.

4, Apparatus for use inslotting the metatarsal pad; of an insol'epreparatory to assembly of a shank stifl ener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for theeentralportion of an insole, a holder havinga slotting die relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, a link pivotally mounted at one end to move toward and away from said support, and an elongate positioning member having positioning fingers at its inner end engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die and having an upwardly curved tail portion at its outer end, and means for efiecting a relative movement between said holder and support, the positioning member being rockably mounted adjacent its inner end to the free end of the link, whereby when the insole is withdrawn the positioning fingers are rocked to a position to release the pad and when a new insole is inserted the positioning fingers are rocked back into position to determine the location of the new metatarsal pad and insole.

5. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stifiener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of right and left insoles, a holder and slotting die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in a metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating said slotting die so as to operate on right and left insoles, a positioning member mounted to move toward and away from said support, said member having a part engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined relation to the path of travel of said die, and means for effecting a relative movement between said holder and support.

6. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of right and left insoles, a holder and slotting die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in a metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating said slotting die so as to operate on right and left insoles, a positioning member mounted inpendently of the holder to move toward and away from said, support, said member having a part engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad: so-as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, and means for effecting a relative movement between said holder and support.

'7. Apparatus for use lD SIOlTCiIlg'tjhC metatarsal pad of an insole; preparatory toassembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprisinga support for the central portion of right and; left insoles, a holder and slotting; die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and awayfrom said support soas to forma slot in a metatarsal pad of an insole disposed; on, said support, means for rotating said slottingmdie so asto operate on right and left insoles, means for positioning and maintaining the insole and pad a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, said means comprising a member pivoted at one endindepen'dently oi the holder to move down: w-ardly towards and upwardly away from said support and having fingers rockably mounted at the free end of the member adapted normally torest on the insole disposed on said support; and engageable with the rear edge portion of: said, pad.

8. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of right and left insoles, a holder and slotting die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in a metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating said slotting die so as to operate on right and left insoles, means for positioning and maintaining the insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, said means comprising spaced parallel arms pivoted at one end inwardly of the support and independently of the holder to move toward and away from said support, said arms extending outwardly over the support and straddling the path of travel of the slotting die, positioning fingers rockably mounted intermediate the free ends of said arms and engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad, means for efiecting a relative movement between said holder and support, and means for holding the arms and positioning fingers in inoperative position out of contact with the support.

9. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of right and left insoles, a holder and slotting die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in a metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating said slotting die so as to operate on right and left insoles, a link pivotally mounted at one end to move toward and away from said support, and an elongate positioning member having positioning fingers at its inner end engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die and having an upwardly curved tail portion at its outer end, and means for efiecting a relative movement between said holder and support, the positioning member being rockably mounted adjacent its inner end to the free end of the link, whereby when the insole is withdrawn the positioning fingers are rocked to a position to release the pad and when a new insole is inserted the positioning fingers are rocked back into position to determine the location of the new insole and pad.

10. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a laterally movable support for supporting the central portions of right and left insoles, a holder and slotting die rotatable relative to each other and relatively movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating said slotting die so as to operate on right and left insoles, a positioning member mounted for movement downwardly toward and upwardly away from said support, said member having a part engageable with the rear edge portion of said 'pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said die, and means for effecting a relative movement between said holder and support.

11. Apparatus for use in slotting the metatarsal pad of an insole preparatory to assembly of a shank stiffener therewith, said apparatus comprising a support for the central portion of right and left insoles, a rotatable die holder having an axial bore, a spindle within the axial bore fixed with relation to the rotational movement of the holder, a transverse way at the lower end of the holder radially offset from the lower end of the spindle, a slotting die slidably mounted in said way and crank means pivotally interconnecting the die with the spindle, the die holder being movable toward and away from said support so as to form a slot in the metatarsal pad of an insole disposed on said support, means for rotating the die holder so as to position the die to operate on right and left insoles, a positioning member mounted to move toward and away from said support, said positioning member having a part engageable with the rear edge portion of said pad so as to position and maintain said insole and pad in a predetermined relation to the path of travel of said die, and means for effecting a relative movement between said die holder and support.

ALFRED F. DONOVAN.

No references cited. 

